Does post-exercise massage treatment reduce delayed onset muscle soreness? A systematic review

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Exercise Physiology
• Rehabilitation Science

Background:

• Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a common issue following unaccustomed physical exertion.
• Currently, no definitive treatment is widely accepted for managing DOMS.
• Massage therapy is frequently suggested, but its efficacy remains uncertain.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of post-exercise massage in alleviating DOMS symptoms.
• To synthesize findings from existing research on massage for DOMS.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted using various databases.
• Seven controlled trials investigating the effects of massage on DOMS were identified and analyzed.

Main Results:

• The reviewed studies exhibited significant methodological limitations.
• Results across studies were inconsistent, but a general trend suggests massage may reduce DOMS symptoms.
• Despite flaws, the majority of evidence points towards a potential benefit of massage.

Conclusions:

• Massage therapy presents as a potentially beneficial treatment for DOMS.
• Further high-quality, definitive research is necessary to confirm these findings.